We’ve Taken Edo North, Central, It’s Remaining South, Obaseki Is Afraid – Ganduje’s Aide

The Senior Special Assistant on Local Government Affairs to All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Umar Ganduje, Nobert Sochukwudinma, has said the party has already taken two out of the three senatorial zones in Edo State, ahead of the Saturday governorship election.

Nobert Sochukwuma said the allegations by Governor Godwin Obaseki that the police are collaborating with the APC and its candidate, Monday Okpebholo was out of fear of imminent loss.

Naija News reported that Governor Obaseki alleged that Okpebholo has been campaigning with Police Helicopter.

He also alleged that most supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been arrested and detained in Abuja and Niger State.

Sochukwuma, however refuted an allegation from Obaseki that thugs and arms were brought into the state to deploy in rigging the Saturday election in favour of the APC candidate.

In an interview on Wednesday with Arise TV, he said, “What is playing out in Edo from Governor Obaseki and PDP, there are two scenarios or two things I suggested. One is that the governor, Governor Obaseki and PDP smell heavy defeat come Saturday by the special grace of God.

“And the second one is that what they are accusing APC of doing is what he may have in mind to do. So springing that up is to cause diversion so that people’s minds are put elsewhere and he does what he plans to do. 

“Ours as party is that we are 100% sure we have this implicit confidence that Edo state by the special grace of God, APC is on ground. And I can give you instances. The candidate of APC Senator Monday Okpebholo is a serving senator who won the Edo Central in the 2023 election. And his running mate, the deputy governorship candidate, Dennis Idahosa, is also a serving House of Reps member. He won in 2019 and was re-elected last year, 2023, Ovia South West and Ovia North East.”

The National Secretary Forum of APC Chairmen in 774 local governments added that Edo Central and Edo North under Adams Oshiomhole are already sure victory for the APC.

He stated that the contest ground would be Edo South Senatorial District, where the governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Olumide Akpata, has a stronghold.

“So those local governments are already taken. And please, the leader of the party in the state, former governor, two-time governor, and former national chairman of APC, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, has always delivered Edo North, where he’s from, to APC. And you know that the current deputy governor of Edo State, as of today, by law, is an APC man.

“So as we speak, going to this election, we already have Edo Central and we have Edo North. So it’s Edo South where you have the Labour Party man and that the APC, Labour Party, and the PDP are just going to battle. And it’s a win-win for us,” Sochukwuma stated.